DSB 92

Yutis was a dominant alpha and eldest son of the Hestro family, but due to his rut cycle, he wasn’t a preferred candidate in the marriage market.

Even second sons of ordinary families had a much easier time finding a betrothed or spouse. Even when marriage proposals came, they were often for the Hestro family’s power or wealth, selling off their children.

Yutis had always felt that Lebel was more precious than himself. Unlike himself, who was perfectly fine on the outside but had flaws, his wife was beautiful, possessing exceptional intelligence and talent.

He was a demon, but he was loved by the gods. He felt himself shrinking infinitely. Though within arm’s reach, Lebel felt distant.

‘Would someone like me ever satisfy him?’

Yutis was certain ‘Lebel’ had been possessed the day he arrived in the Empire. Everyone around him was taken aback by his sudden transformation.

At the time, Yutis had thought Lebel was just expressing his refusal to marry, desperate to avoid it at any cost.

But that wasn’t the case. Lebel was so beloved that other demons, upon seeing him, rejoiced and tried to take him away.

Didn’t Karon, when he first appeared, try to kill Yutis?

Yutis recalled Norman’s words.

How could he allow him to live with humans? Marry a human? Serve one? Protect one? Why? Who gave permission?

Lebel, his wife chose him and decided to marry him. What right does a third party have to interfere?

But it’s frightening that there could be far more people who think that way. Yutis looked at Lebel with a serious gaze and then squeezed his hand.

Lebel frowned as Yutis bowed his head and closed his eyes, as if in prayer.

“You’re having strange thoughts again.”

Yutis’s shoulders flinched slightly. Lebel chuckled. The cause was probably Karon. Now that his identity was revealed, he’d let out all the words he’d been holding back.

Karon insisted otherwise, but he was a boy with immense pride, having served Lebel for centuries. He even showed territoriality toward the newcomer.

Moreover, since Karon still held Yutis in a negative light, it was obvious he’d told him every little detail about himself.

“What is it? Do I seem so great that you feel lacking beside me?”

Lebel lifted Yutis’s chin with his free hand. He had the same yearning gaze as Norman or any other demon.

Lebel had never once entertained the emotions or desires reflected in the gazes of others.

It was natural to look with admiration at the strong, and to desire something precious. That’s why he never bothered to look into it or ask.

But Yutis was different. He was curious. What was on his mind?

‘So it’s reversed now.’

Everything he was curious about and wanted to know was because Lebel considered him precious. And even more, because he loved him.

Lebel had lived longer than any other living being. But until now, he’d never realized that this feeling was love.

Yutis muttered, avoiding Lebel’s gaze.

“…That is not true.”

“You’re lying. I can see right through you. You’re anxious. You love me too much, that’s what’s wrong with you.”

Lebel let out a delightful laugh.

He had been loved by countless beings. But Yutis was the only one who had made him realize how joyful the affection and love of others could be. His ignorance of this, his anxiety and self-doubt, seemed more adorable than foolish.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you go either. I’ll never let go of what I have.”

Especially not something I’ve decided to keep.

Lebel turned his hand and intertwined his fingers with Yutis’s.

“I’ll cherish you for the rest of my life. Even hundreds of years from now.”

There was not a single lie in what he had confessed before the gods. He had lived hundreds of times the lifespan of a normal human, but he had never met a being so lovable.

Lebel remembered Yutis. Not only the form of his soul, but also the scent it exuded and the demonic energy it possessed.

Even if he died, the essence of his soul would not change.

“…I am human. I cannot live that long.”

“I know.”

“But…”

“You will be reborn.”

Yutis’s eyes widened. He would wait hundreds of years, a time no human could possibly live, until he was reborn. Lebel casually promised an unpredictable, eternal future.

“Yutis, I am a demon. I will live a long life. I can wait for you as long as I want.”

Why wait so long?

Yutis remembered only one thing he had longed for, but he could not be certain unless he heard it from his own mouth.

“Why? Am I so important to you, my wife?”

“Of course, you’re my husband.”

“…”

“Oh, no. There’s something humans say in situations like this.”

Lebel corrected himself. The mention of ‘husband’ had made Yutis’s face turn sour. It had been the same when he’d said he was special.

“Because I love you.”

Yutis’s eyes widened, and he stuttered.

“You-You love me…?”

It was the moment he’d been longing for.

Lebel’s indifferent expression and monotonous words betrayed his sincerity. As if he had already been in love all along.

Lebel chuckled at Yutis’ tense expression.

My husband is so timid and doubtful.

“What does waiting for you mean? You’re my only partner, so I’ll only see you.”

“Is the seat next to you mine forever?”

“Yes.”

At that firm answer, Yutis’s heart began to pound. He couldn’t contain his overwhelming emotions. All the more because Lebel wasn’t someone who spoke lightly.

At that moment, Lebel silently placed his hand on his own heart. Yutis recognized that Lebel’s heart was beating at the same pace as his own.

“Do you know why my heart beats so fast? I’m worried it’ll burst. You should feel honored. You’re the first person to make my heart beat this fast. And you’ve made me fall in love in such a short time.”

The time he spent with Yutis was a mere fraction of Lebel’s life. Yet, he found him lovable and fell in love. In less than a year, everything had changed for Lebel.

Yutis looked stunned, still in disbelief. Lebel pressed a brief kiss to Yutis’s lips, as if branding him.

“I’ve spent countless eons with countless people, but I’ve never enjoyed my time with anyone as much as I did with you.”

Yutis then began to squeeze the hand he was holding.

“Me too… Me too.”

“That’s fortunate. After all, you’ve already gone through a mating ritual with me, you can’t leave anymore. I can tell exactly where you are and what you’re doing.”

It was an unintentional vow, but it was satisfying. Then, reality suddenly dawned on him. He thought that, unlike himself, Yutis might dislike it.

“…Do you dislike feeling watched?”

“No, I don’t.”

As soon as he asked cautiously, he received a reply.

Yutis didn’t care what it was. From the moment Lebel said he loved him, he felt as if he owned the world.

Lebel smiled happily. He’d always used it to detect where and what Yutis was doing, but now that he had permission, he could do it without hesitation.

“That’s fortunate. It can’t be undone anyway.”

It was possible to terminate the contract, but he had no intention of revealing that fact.

“So, even if you die, I can still come find you. Demons are creatures who can’t rest until they get what they want. So, what’s your answer?”

“Before my wife comes to find me, I’ll make sure to find you first.”

“Haha, I like that answer too.”

Lebel let out a small laugh, the corners of his eyes creased.

Yutis, seeing that smile, cupped Lebel’s cheek and kissed him. It was a warm, gentle kiss, but his gesture was almost pleading.

Yutis kissed his lips and whispered his love.

“Lebel, I love you.”

“I know…”

Just as Lebel was about to speak, Yutis’s tongue slipped further into his open mouth. As if no more words were needed, his tongue entangled with his, and gently exploring his mouth. Lebel’s body trembled as their kisses deepened and his hands stroked down his back.

Yutis held his waist and his lips as if refusing to let him go. Lebel’s rapid breathing made him struggle, but instead of pushing him away, he parted his lips, allowing him to enter.

The warmth that enveloped his spine was soft and pleasant. Yutis, always cautious with Lebel, revealed his desire so openly.

Lebel gazed into Yutis’s eyes. It was a delight to witness his unfathomable desire and lust.

The Lebel who once didn’t understand what a kiss was no longer existed. He moaned, as if the mingling of warmth and saliva delightful.

Lebel’s moans only fueled Yutis’s desire. Yutis pressed his lips against his, sucking on his lower lip, exploring his succulent mouth.

For a demon, he responded far too softly, his lips yielding under the kiss.

Yutis took the kiss greedily, tangling their tongues and stealing every trace of breath. Yutis’s rough and urgent kiss, seemingly demanding recognition of the pain he had endured while Lebel was unconscious, made Lebel embrace him in response.

Love was palpable in every little gesture of Lebel’s. It was something only Yutis was allowed to have. After licking his tongue and lips for a long time, he finally let Lebel go.

Lebel looked dazed from the aftermath of the kiss. He touched his swollen lips, then traced them with his tongue, smiling.